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Focus on local survivors brings new Holocaust History Center into the light

(L-R) Yulia Genina (survivor), Lily Brull (survivor), Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, Wanda Wolosky (survivor) and Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne were among those who took part in the ribbon cutting. (Martha Lochert)
(L-R) Yulia Genina (survivor), Lily Brull (survivor), Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, Wanda Wolosky (survivor) and Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne were among those who took part in the ribbon cutting. (Martha Lochert)

The Holocaust History Center at the Jewish History Museum held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 20. The inaugural exhibit at the center goes “from dark to light,” with one long wall presenting the history of the Holocaust and the opposite wall dedicated to the lives of 230 survivors who have made Southern Arizona their home, as Stuart Mellan, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona, explained. The center is a joint project of the museum and JFSA.

This wall at the Holocaust History Center presents information on 120 of the survivors who have lived in Southern Arizona since the 1940s. The center is seeking information on 110 other survivors who have lived here. (Martha Lochert)
This wall at the Holocaust History Center presents information on 120 of the survivors who have lived in Southern Arizona since the 1940s. The center is seeking information on 110 other survivors who have lived here. (Martha Lochert)

Other speakers at the event included Rabbi Israel Becker of Congregation Chofetz Chayim; Barry Friedman, president of the board of the Jewish History Museum; Lily Brull, a Holocaust survivor from Belgium; Mayor Jonathan Rothschild and his wife, Karen Spiegel Rothschild; U.S. Rep. Ron Barber; state Sen. Steve Farley; Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne, Ward 6 Council Member Steve Kozachik, state Rep. Ethan Orr, and Consul of Mexico Ricardo Pineda.

Survivors and guest at the opening of the Holocaust History Center, Oct. 20, 2013. (Martha Lochert)
Survivors and guest at the opening of the Holocaust History Center, Oct. 20, 2013. (Martha Lochert)

Approximately 350 people toured the museum’s inaugural exhibit on opening day, says Bryan Davis, director of the JFSA Holocaust Education and Commemoration Project.